New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-22
THE ORIGIN OF MR.. LUNDBoRG's LAWSUIT

THE ORIGIN OF MR.. LUNDBORGS LAWSUIT.
rvrou ru, rrct,.r corHrsroSprSr TRrIusij
WASHINGTON March 81 The bare announcements
OF tho fling OF a suit against the United states D!
Charles T. Lundbore tic naval engineer the o'her
day. did not disclose the curious Methods m'1"
almost saw dishonest praciicos-wich charac'cino
the dealings OF the Nay Department un ocr 'no
present Administration. On May ., 1879. ar. "hl.-
ney Issued the celebrated advert remeht ih'n,hs
peers mechanics, naval constructors and DINERS 10
submit plans and designs OF naval vessels. IN aCooi
dance wi the conditions set forth IN that adve''ss
ment Mr. Lundborg submitted designs ana sptcn-
cations Tor "a vessel OF 5000 tons burden Inc designs
tmboGy some novel features, owing to whieh lac,
they were not considered by the board on 40
vessels" Tor Mr.. Whitneys spechc lnstruc "
the board were, as stated in their report 70 avn
all experl ments, matter how promlsine anu ieac
decision only after consideration OF ,ne 49, "a ~
best practices" il very evident that II tDe auv
tisement OF May 3. 1889 had contained any con .I
tons like the subsequent instructions gwen ~ A.
hitney to the " board on additional Vosse,o, ~ ~
Lundborg would never have yentuied 10 sutn n; uU
sgns. which though approved by the h,encs. sc;u
tiic and technical authorities must stcuy T he
be considered experimental IN tneir natuic da
cause no such ship has yet been built Dut why uu
not Secretary whitney II he really intended tna'
nothing new in the design OF ships spoaiu uo ga
sdered say so in definite and explicit language, ~
proper wording OF his would not nae
led Mr.. Lundborg to devote months OF iaoor anu 81
Srau, htsmen in the preparation Of the plans which
are now In possession OF the Navy Department IT.,
Inc amount o, wor yeT great as Mr. Whitney
doubleday knows He himself soqu'reu, nI' e
ago according his statement designs Oh ques
tionsblc value, prepared by foreign navs HSs u0S
tor which he paid II am not mistaken, %3o,ooo
This is large sum and furnishes some idea' perhaps,
ms to the amount at which Nv Lundoorg vaiueT n hs
services That however, Is n question whioh WIZ po
setted else where. The treatment receNou oy III.
Lundborg, whether his designs are worth % cents
or 1886 O0J remains the same. Alter having IN re-
sponse TO Sir. Whi.neys invitation, gwen MS pa oies
sona services and incurred great ssorinces OF tme
and money in preparing his designs he Is told thas
his plans will not be considered even though tuey
conform in every partic ular to the oonditonso Oh I
wh'neys advertisement das mu;".t but abso.
lutely dishonest The dishonesty lies IN tno iao' ~
Nv Luudborg. after having tired in vain 70 get com
pensstion TOR his work, Mr. Whitney smPS had no
einr his shoulders and declaring that he hau 20
money to pay Tor the plans when appeaea oI n
dishonesty. say. Lies in the tact that Tue NsF "a
partment refuses TO return the designs on Mr. .s
borg to their real though repeatedly re
to do So and that the features suggested oy e.'
Lundborg his designs are. ACCORDING 10 lis ooo.'
being copied. made use OF and applied ~ inc con
strucon bureau without his consent anu ,bt
IA we'll put his hand In Mr. bundborgs poohee; ~.
that il what the treatment OF this naval ehgihoo'
practically amounts 10.
William Walter Phelps has been on flying VISIT 10
this city tor the purpose oil verifying sonic aos
recently brought 10 his notice with regard to Vonrr
Garjelds onnectiOn with the DE Goyer contract
At tho request OF james Grant Wilson Mr' Ino, ~.
had Undertaken write tbs Garhel, art ,le LOT tno
Forthcoming volume OF AppletoD's bio@rsphch hnoy
cIoo ada He was 80 on "a ged at Point ConiOrt whon
some facts were accidentally brought 10 III.
notice and he promptly camc on to THIS cy shi sP.
sone time at the Congressional Library verifying '"o
st rements made, with the assist~uoo OF Librarian
Spodord. Mr. Phelps. IL IL undcr.tood ehohera
Garfield from blame in the Credit MooiIier "nI u
IL Obliged to cen-ure the singular lack 81 orctnouI
which characterized bis association with the 10
! Goycr business